Persuasive speech outline

- using Monroe's Motivated Sequence

This method of organizing material forms the basis of many of the
successful political, public awareness or advertising campaigns you see
and hear around you on a daily basis. Why? Because it faithfully follows the psychology of persuasion.

Now let's examine those steps more closely. As you read through start
thinking about your audience and your topic and jot any ideas down for
later use.

The 5 steps of Monroe's motivation sequence

Getting attention - step 1

This step is your introductory "listen up" call. To make it effective it needs to grab the audience. It could be any of the following:

a startling statement

a rhetorical question

a quotation

a funny story

a dramatic story

a photograph or other visual aid

Consider "What's in it for me?" while deciding on your attention getter. Why should your audience listen? Is it relevant to them? How? Why should they believe what you say? Have you established your credibility?

Establish the need - step 2

This step develops the need for change. Now that you have your
audience's attention you will clearly show them what the problem is and
the extent of it.

To be effective use:

examples to illustrate how it impacts on them - their happiness,future, health, family, neighborhood...

statistics - facts, figures, graphs, diagrams...
Remember to cite your sources and remember too that some are more
credible than others. You need recognized sources to give
your speech the credibility you want.

expert witness testimony - the more authoritative, the better

Your goal at the conclusion of this step is to have your audience eager
to hear your solution. They agree with you that there is a problem and
want the answer.

See the future - step 4

In this step the audience "experiences" the solution. They see (feel, hear, taste...) what will happen if they do as you are suggesting contrasted against what will happen if they don't do as you are suggesting.

This step relies on your use of vivid imagery to portray the outcome
of their action, or inaction. They see and feel the pleasure, or pain, in
their imagination. To bring it home to your audience the pictures you
provide, the stories you tell, need to be relevant and believable.

What you want folk thinking as you conclude this step is: "I can see that this would be good for me."

Take action - step 5

The call to action can be embedded in any combination of the following:

a summary

a quotation

a challenge or appeal

an example

a personal statement of intent

To be effective the action step must be readily doable and executed
as soon as possible. Make it as easy as you can for your audience. If
you want them to sign up for something, have the forms available. If you
wish them to lodge a personal protest in writing to your
local government have stock letters and envelopes ready. In other words
do the leg work for them!

Action steps that are delayed even for 48 hours are less likely to be
acted on. We're human - life goes on. Other things intervene and the
initial urgency is lost.

Swap tears for laughter

A complete one stop resource for teachers to scuttle public speaking fear in the best of all possible ways - with laughter!

What teachers say:
- "Thank you so much for making my class fun, and not scary!"
- "My students are 8th graders - a tough crowd to engage but these games are working very well."
- "Your materials provide great structure and content examples."Who are these people saying lovely things? Click to see.Make your speech class fun too.

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